Gardaí at scene of fire at disused property in Co Wicklow
Gardaí are currently attending the scene of a fire at a disused property in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, which has been mooted as possible accommodation for international protection applicants.
Protests have been ongoing at the site at River Lodge, also known as Trudder House, in Newtownmountkennedy, in recent weeks following confirmation that the Department of Integration was assessing its grounds for the housing of up to 160 people.
The site in question was the scene of another fire earlier this month.
Videos of the latest fire have been circulating on social media.
The department said it accepted the HSE’s offer of the vacant property and its surrounding lands as it attempts to find accommodation for international protection applicants.
The house itself was in very poor repair and it is understood that it is not suitable for housing.
Previously, gardaí had confirmed that they responded to reports of a fire at the same property in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Gardaí declined to confirm reports that three arrests have been made in relation to the latest fire, or that a number of Garda vehicles have been damaged, saying only that it is an “ongoing incident”.
It is the latest in a spate of fires around the country at sites aimed at accommodating international protection applicants.
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